Page 44 of The Laird’s Sinful Claim

David stood there for a moment, staring at the closed door. Then he returned to his desk, to his trade agreements and ledgers and correspondence.

But the numbers didn't make sense anymore. His mind kept drifting back to pale green eyes and the desperate note in her voice.

He'd given her rules. Boundaries. Space.

But what he really wanted to know was why she needed them so badly.

What had happened in her father's house that made her so desperate for control now?

A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts.

"Come in."

Tristan entered, his expression serious. "A messenger just arrived. From His Grace."

David's stomach dropped. "Already?"

"Aye." Tristan held out a sealed letter, the royal crest pressed into red wax. "He said it was urgent."

David took the letter, feeling the weight of it in his hand. Nothing good ever came in urgent messages from kings.

He broke the seal, unfolding the parchment. Tristan waited silently while David read, his eyes tracking across the elegant script.

Laird MacDonald,

It has come tae Our attention that rumors have begun tae circulate regarding the circumstances of yer recent marriage. These rumors suggest that yer union with Lady Elinor Royse was nae, as ye claimed, the result of a long-standing betrothal, but rather a hasty arrangement designed tae circumvent Our explicit instructions regarding yer choice of bride.

We are writing tae inform ye that We take such allegations most seriously. If it is determined that ye have willfully deceived Us, that yer marriage was contracted in bad faith and with the deliberate intent tae defy Our command, We will have nay choice but tae convene a formal inquiry intae the matter.

Should such an inquiry find evidence of deception, ye will be subject tae trial and subsequent punishment as We deem appropriate. This may include, but is nae limited tae, the annulment of yer marriage, seizure of lands, and imprisonment.

We expect ye tae conduct yerself with the utmost propriety in the coming weeks. Any further rumors or irregularities will be viewed most unfavorably.

We remain watchful.

His Majesty's Regent, acting on behalf of King James V.

David read it twice. Then a third time, as though the words might change if he looked at them long enough.

They didn't.

"What daes it say?" Tristan asked quietly.

David handed him the letter without speaking, and watched his friend's face grow progressively grimmer as he read.

"Christ," Tristan muttered when he finished. "He kens. Or suspects, at least."

"Someone's been talkin'." David moved to the window, staring out at the valley below. His valley. His lands. His clan. All of it potentially at risk because he'd been too proud to accept the Regent’s choice of bride. "Langley, maybe. Or someone from the auction."

"What are ye goin' tae dae

"What can I dae?" David turned back to face his friend. "We're already married. The deed's done. All I can dae now is make sure our story holds."

"And if it daesnae?"

"Then it'll be disastrous." David thought of Elinor, upstairs in their bedchamber or maybe exploring her new home. Unaware that the fragile safety he'd promised her was already crumbling. "The Duke could annul the marriage. Send her back tae her faither or marry her off tae someone else. And me…"

He didn't finish. They both knew what happened to men who deceived kings.